Ironing table



C. FLAG STAD Nov. 12, 1940.

IRONING' TABLE Filed Sept. 24, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I15 E Come Fmasrm;

Nov. 12, 1940. c. FLAGSTAD IRONING TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept.24, 1958 Nov. 12, 1940.. c. FLAGSTAD IRONING TABLE Filed Sept. 24, 19385 Sheets-Sheet 3 Comeu. Fmqano Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible ironing tables,and the primary object is to provide a table which may be readily set upfor use or collapsed into a compact form when not in use. Another objectis to provide a table which will be extremely rigid when set up and willbe effectively supported and braced at a plurality of points in order toprevent any semblance of rocking or wobbling motions. A further obm jectis to provide a table of this kind in which the operations of setting upor taking down may be readily carried out by manipulation of a single,conveniently reached handle portion of the supporting framework.

1 These and other more specific objects of the invention will be madeapparent in the course of the following detailed specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is aperspective view, looking at the underside of the table, and showing theparts in their set up conditions ready for use.

' Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the table.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view looking downwardly on the table.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a table employing a slightly modifiedbracing and collapsing frame assembly.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental side elevation showing another bracing andcollapsing frame assembly.

Fig. 6 is a similar view and showing still another form of bracing andcollapsing frame.

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation, showing only the table, the rear leg. frameand onepossible modiiication of the spreader frame assembly for saidrear leg frame.

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing another form of spreader frame.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a modified form of bracing and collapsingframe. removed from the table assembly.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view in cross section showing theconnection between the front leg frame and bracing frame.

Reference will now be made to the drawings by reference characters, andthe invention described in detail. As a matter of convenience in thedescription the terms board or ironing board are employed generally toindicate the flat elements upon which the actual work of ironing takesplace, and irrespective of what material it may be made, while the termironing table" is used to indicate the entire assembly of the board andthe supporting legs and framework therefor.

The ironing board A is of the usual form, and

is supported, in erected position, by a rear supporting leg frame B andfront supporting leg frame 0. Extended between these leg frames B and Cis a connecting frame D and extended between the leg frames (Figs. 1, 2,and 3) isabracing and collapsing or operating frame E. Also connectedwith the rear leg frame B is a spreader frame F, the function of whichwill hereinafter be made apparent.

The rear leg frame B comprises a pair of spaced leg bars I. and II whichare pivotally attached at I! to short lugs turned downwardly from astrap ll secured crosswise to the underside of the board A adjacent itsrear end. These leg bars II and II spread or diverge slightly towardtheir 1 lower ends to give the board better lateral stability. The frontleg frame C also comprises a pair of leg bars I and II which are pivotedat It to a strap ll secured transversely to the underside strap I3, andthese leg bars converge forwardly and downwardly and are secured rigidlytogether toform a supporting foot I8. The connecting frame D is formedof an elongated loop of heavy wire or rod, the ends of which arepivotally connected at I! to the rear leg bars Ill and II and theforwardly converging sides of which are pivotally connected by theirbight portion 20 to the foot I! of the front leg frame C. The foregoingarrangement is such that the connectlng frame D will serve to hold'theleg frames B and C against spreading beyond their normal angularpositions and so that the leg frames will rigidly support the board Aboth transversely and from front to rear. At the same time these legframes B and C may, when the table is lifted 30 from the floor, foldforwardly and lie flatly against the underside of the board to permitstorage thereof in small space.

As the table is folded it is desirable that the rear leg bars II and II,which normally diverge. 40 toward their lower ends as stated, be drawntogether somewhat in order that they will lie substantially parallelwith, and inwardly of. the longer lateral margins of the board A. Thespreader frame F is provided for automatically adjusting the rear legbars in this manner, and this frame comprises an upwardly disposed,substantially U-shaped yoke member 2| which has its upper extremitiespivotally attached, at 22, to the underside of the board A attransversely spaced and aligned points located just rearwardly of theaxis upon which the leg bars l0 and I I pivot. This yoke member II thusmay hang downwardly behind the leg bars or may swing forwardly therewithto lie flatly against the underside of the board asthe leg frames arefolded. Connecting link bars 23 complete the spreader frame assembly andone bar is pivotally connected at 24 to each leg bar |l-|| and isextended upwardly and inwardly and pivotally connected at 25 to thelower bight portion of the yoke member. As a result of this arrangement,and particularly of the location of the pivotal points 22 rearwardly ofthe pivotal points l2 of the rear leg frame, the link bars 23 will exerta spreading motion transversely on the leg bars l0 and II as they reachan erected position causing these legs to spread as desired. Then as thelegs are folded the link bars 23 exert a pullingmotion sufficient todraw the leg bars together and cause them to lie parallel and inwardlyof the longer edges of the board and thus prevent these legs fromforming projections beyond the sides of the board.

For the purpose of collapsing or folding the table, and also for furtherbracing the leg frames, I provide the folding and bracing frame Ecomprising a handle frame 26 of U-shaped formation which has its frontalends pivotally connected at 21 to the underside of the board A attransversely spaced points forwardly of the strap ll carrying the frontleg frame C. The side arms 28 of the handle frame 26 converge forwardlyto some extent and pass either inwardly of the front leg bars l4 and I5or outwardly thereof, while the bight portion or cross member 29 of theframe extends rearwardly and downwardly and is located between the frontand rear leg frames. The bars 30 are pivotally connected at'theirfrontal ends at 3| to the rear portions of the side arms 23 and extendin rearwardly diverging relationship to the rear leg bars l0 and II towhich they are pivoted at 32 on transverse axes as shown. Adjacent theirfrontal ends the side arms 23 carry cam elements 33 (Figs. 1, 2, and 10)which have downwardly opening notches 34 adapted to engage a cross rod35 extended rigidly between the front leg bars [4 and I5 at anappropriate level.

The construction and arrangement of this frame assembly E is such that,when it is in extended position with the'handle frame 26 substantiallyaligned with the tie bars 30, the cam elements 33 will have engagedtheir notches 34 with the cross rod 35, and the frame will now brace theleg frames B and 0 against collapsing movement. Ihe notches 34 areangularly formed as indicated 'at 35, in such manner that as they engagethe rod 35 they will have a camming action suflicient to exert arearward pressure on the rear leg frame B and stretch the connectingframe D to a taut condition. At the same time the frontal end of theboard A' will be braced rearwardly to the front leg frame C by theforward portion of the frame 26 (from this leg frame to the pivots 21)and the entire assembly will be completely rigid even before any weightmay be brought to bear on the board. This effect will overcome theannoying tendency of the board to slightly settle when weight isapplied, as at present occurs.

To fold or collapse the table it is now only necessary to grasp thecross member 29 and pull it rearwardly and toward the board A, and thisaction will break the alignment of the frame E, withdraw the camelements 33 from engagement with the cross rod 35, and cause the legframes B and C (together with the frame F) to fold forwardly asheretofore described. In this process the handle frame 26 folds flatlyagainst the underside of the board A while the tie' bars 30 jack knifeforwardly and also come to rest flatly against the board. The forwardlyconverging Dosition of the frame side to arms 23, together with thecorresponding extension of the tie bars 30, allow the rear leg bars l0and II to spread and move together, as described, without interferenceand the angular positioning of the pivotal points 3| adjust themselvesto proper relative movement with respect to the folding movements ofthese leg bars as the setting up or collapsing action takes place.

An important feature of my invention, additional to the initial rigidityafforded to the structure by the expansive action of the frame E, liesin the fact that the arrangement of this frame allows the table to befolded simply by lifting its rear end with one hand while grasping thecross member 29 with the other and pulling upwardly and rearwardly aspointed out. In this connection the open" arrangement of the spreaderframe F, formed by the use of a yoke member 2| as described, providesspace or passageway (G in Fig. 1) through which the hand may be placedto reach the cross member 29. Thus it is possible to perform alloperations of setting up, looking, unlocking and collapsing the tablefrom the rear.

As shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the yoke member 2| may also be made in twopieces 2 la and 2) which are pivoted to the board A as described, butwhich are crossed and pivotally connected at their lower portions at 31and form oppositely extended end portions 38 to which the bars 23 areconnected, and from which these bars extend to the rear leg bars l3 andH. In either casethe passageway G, necessary for reaching and operatingthe frame E, is provided and the spreading action of the leg bars l0 andII will be carried out in the manner set forth.

The frame E, as shown in Fig. 9, may also be of. two part constructionas regards the handle portion 26 thereof, and in this case will have thetwo side arm members 28a and 28b joined at their rear ends by a pivotrod 39 which replaces the pivots 3|. A wooden handle 40 may be placedover the rod 39 for operating the frame- This view also indicates theangularity of the side bars and of the extended tie bars 30, necessaryto permit the folding action of the leg bars l0 and II.

In lieu of the releasable connection (represented by the cam element 33)between the frame E and the front leg frame C, I may actually pivot thisframe to the front leg frame as shown in Fig. 4. Here the frame E issubstantially as described, comprising the handleframe 26 and tie bars30 pivotally connected at 3| and connected at 32 to the rear leg barsIll and II but the forward connection 21 to the underside of the board Ais somewhat different in that it involves the use of short links 4|pivotally connected to the board at 21 and to the frontal ends of theframe E by pins 42 which work in slots 43 in the links. This arrangementis now necessary in order to allow the front leg frame C to fold, sincein this assembly the cross rod 35 is actually and not releasablyconnected to the frame. The assembly serves the same bracing function asthat heretofore described, and in the erected condition the pins 42 willbear at the ends of the slots 43 to brace the board forwardly of thefront leg frame connection. The frame portion 28 may have small stopears 44 extended to overlie the frontal ends of the tie bars 30 andlimit the'setting up action as clearly evident, and it will be quiteapparent that when the cross member 29 is grasped and pulled upwardlyand rearwardly the table will be readily folded in the manner previouslydescribed.

The frame E may also be terminated and pivotally connected at itsfrontal extremity to the front leg frame C as shown in Figs. 5 and 6,and the connection to the board A forwardly of the front leg framedispensed with. In this case theframe E will still, of course, serve tofold or unfold the leg frames B and C, and to rigidly support the same,but the forward support afforded by the pivotal connections 21 will beeliminated. The frame E itself comprises the handle frame 26 and tiebars 30 pivotally connected at 3| and at 32 to the rear leg bars, andthe pivotal connection between the frame E and the front leg frame C maybe coaxial with the pivots It as in Fig. 5, or it may be dropped down tothe point 45 as in Fig. 6. In either case the frame may be manipulatedin described manner for setting up or collapsing the table.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in thestructure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fullyillustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new anddesire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, front andrear leg frames for supporting the board, a connecting device betweenthe leg frames, an upwardly collapsible articulated frame extendingbetween the rear leg frame and the board in a forwardly and upwardlyinclined position, the said articulated frame being pivotally connectedto the rear leg frame and board and including a rearwardly disposedcross member acting as a handle for collapsing the frame as a unit, anda spreader frame connected between the board and the rear leg frame andincluding an upper member pivoted to the board and having spaced sideportions so shaped to afford access to said cross member from the rear,and link bars pivotally connected between the lower portion of saidupper member and the rear leg frame.

2. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, front andrear leg frames for supporting the-board, a connecting device betweenthe leg frames, an upwardly collapsible articulated frame extendingbetween the rear leg frame and the board in a forwardly and upwardlyinclined position, the said articulated frame being pivotally connectedto the rear leg frame and board and including a rearwardly disposedcross member acting as a handle for collapsing the frame as a unit, anda spreader frame connected between the board and th rear leg frame andoperative to spread said leg frame as it is moved to board supportingposition, the said spreader frame including a substantially U-shapedyoke member having its side portions spread apart to afford accesstherebetween to the cross member, and links pivotally connected betweenthe rear leg frame and said yoke member and spaced apart transversely onthe latter to define a handle portion for manipulating said spreaderframe.

3. A collapsible ironing table comprising an ironing board, front andrear leg frames for supporting the board, a connecting device betweentile leg lrallles, an upwardly collapsible articulated frame extendingbetween the rear leg frame and the board in a forwardly and upwardl)inclined position, the said articulated frame being pivotally connectedto the rear leg frame and board and including a rearwardly disposedcross memoer acting as a handle for collapsing the frame as a unit, anda spreader frame connected between the board and the rear leg frame andoperative to spread said leg frame as it is moved to board supportingposition, the said spreader frame including a U-shaped member havingtransversely spaced legs affording access to the said cross member and aportion extending substantially transversely to serve as a handle formanipulating the rear leg frame.

4. Acollapsibleironing table comprising an ironing board, front and rearcollapsible leg members for supporting the board, means for releasablysecuring the front leg member in' board supporting position, anarticulated collapsible frame for releasably securing the rear legmember in board supporting position, the said frame comprising asubstantially U-shaped forwardmember having forwardly and upwardlyextending side arms pivotally mounted and braced against forwarddisplacement, the said forward member also including a rearwardlydisposed and transversely extending rigid bight portion adapted to serveas a handle for manipulating the frame, and side members pivotallyconnected to the outer sides of the said substantially U-shaped forwardmember at points spaced forwardly of the bight portion thereof, the rearends of the side members being pivotally connected to the rear legmember to support the same in an .extended position of the frame.

5. Acollapsibleironing table comprising an ironing board, front and rearleg frames for supporting the board, a connecting device between the legframes, an upwardly collapsible articulated frame extending between therear leg fram and a forward support, and a spreader frame connectedbetween the board and the rear leg frame and operative to spread saidleg frame as it is moved to board supporting position, the said spreaderframe including a substantially U- shaped member having transverselyspaced side portions defining an opening through which access may be hadfrom the rear of the board to the articulated frame for manipulating thesame.

CORNELL FLAGSTAD.

